The Works of John Playfair ...: With a Memoir of the Author ...A. Constable & Company, 1822 |
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Page 12
... if possible , on elementary geometry alone , or which should , at least , be the simplest that the nature of things would allow . The Tracts were destined to serve as the basis of this investigation . 12 BIOGRAPHICAL ACCOUNT.
... if possible , on elementary geometry alone , or which should , at least , be the simplest that the nature of things would allow . The Tracts were destined to serve as the basis of this investigation . 12 BIOGRAPHICAL ACCOUNT.
Page 13
... geometry . His design un- doubtedly was , to pursue that method of approxi- mation which Sir Isaac Newton had begun , and which Callendrini , Machin , and Walmsley , had greatly improved ; and , by using the methods of geometry , he ...
... geometry . His design un- doubtedly was , to pursue that method of approxi- mation which Sir Isaac Newton had begun , and which Callendrini , Machin , and Walmsley , had greatly improved ; and , by using the methods of geometry , he ...
Page 15
... geometry could afford . Indeed , the idea of such a problem had first occurred to Mr Machin , who , in his book on the laws of the moon's motion , has just mentioned it , and given the result of a rude calculation , ( the method of ...
... geometry could afford . Indeed , the idea of such a problem had first occurred to Mr Machin , who , in his book on the laws of the moon's motion , has just mentioned it , and given the result of a rude calculation , ( the method of ...
Page 17
... geometry was matter of wonder to many , and perhaps of satisfaction to some , who envied that science the certainty of its conclu- sions . On account of such , it must be observed , that there are problems so extremely difficult , that ...
... geometry was matter of wonder to many , and perhaps of satisfaction to some , who envied that science the certainty of its conclu- sions . On account of such , it must be observed , that there are problems so extremely difficult , that ...
Page 20
... time his own were published , the whole impression of them , almost , hav- ing been burnt by a fire which consumed the warehouse where they were lodged . greatest praise , since it resolves , by geometry alone 20 BIOGRAPHICAL ACCOUNT.
... time his own were published , the whole impression of them , almost , hav- ing been burnt by a fire which consumed the warehouse where they were lodged . greatest praise , since it resolves , by geometry alone 20 BIOGRAPHICAL ACCOUNT.
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Popular passages
Page 81 - The mind seemed to grow giddy by looking so far into the abyss of time ; and while we listened with, earnestness and admiration to the philosopher who was now unfolding to us the order and series of these wonderful events, we became sensible how much farther reason may sometimes go than imagination can venture to follow.
Page 335 - ... the three angles of a triangle are together equal to two right angles, although it is not known to all.
Page 309 - ... that the mean longitude of the first satellite, minus three times that of the second, plus twice that of the third, is always equal to two right angles.
Page 125 - The boast of heraldry, the pomp of power, And all that beauty, all that wealth e'er gave, Await alike the inevitable hour — The paths of glory lead but to the grave.
Page 325 - In one of these, where the dictates of Aristotle are still listened to as infallible decrees, and where the infancy of science is mistaken for its maturity, the mathematical sciences have never flourished ; and the scholar has no means of advancing beyond the mere elements of geometry.
Page 522 - An account of experiments for determining the length of the pendulum vibrating seconds in the latitude of London.
Page 55 - It is unreasonable, indeed, to suppose that such marks should any where exist. The Author of nature has not given laws to the universe, which, like the institutions of men, carry in themselves the elements of their own destruction ; he has not permitted in his works any symptom of infancy or of old age, or any sign by which we may estimate either their future or their past duration.
Page 56 - The Author of nature has not given laws to the universe, which, like the institutions of men, carry in themselves the elements of their own destruction. He has not permitted, in his works, any symptom of infancy or of old age, or any sign by which we may estimate either their future or their past duration. He may put an end, as he no doubt gave a beginning, to the present system, at some determinate period; but we may safely conclude, that this great catastrophe will not be brought about by any of...
Page 301 - Between the laws by which the tides diminish from their maximum at the full and change, to their minimum at the first and third quarters, and by which they increase again from the minimum to the maximum, as deduced from the observations at Brest, and as determined by the theory of gravitation, there is an exact coincidence. 2. According to theory, the height of the tides...
Page 439 - ... most general rule that we are enabled to give admits of many exceptions. The violation of the order of events among the phenomena of the former class, the suspension of gravity, for example, the deviation of any of the stars from their places or their courses in the heavens, &c., — these are facts of which the improbability is so strong that no testimony can prevail against it.